Veteran centre-back Steve Howey is hoping to sign off his career in style at Hartlepool.

The 33-year-old former England international joined until the end of the season on deadline day.

And he is looking forward to the challenge as Pool aim for the play-offs.

"It should be exciting," Howey told the club's official website. "Hartlepool have been doing well and hopefully can clinch a place in the play-offs and get to Cardiff.

"Hopefully we can do well the rest of the season and go from there, but it would be nice to finish my career here."

Howey, who has been given the No 42 shirt in Pool's squad, brings a wealth of experience to Victoria Park.

He won four England caps after forging his name with Newcastle, before moving on to Manchester City, Leicester and Bolton - and was still playing in the Premiership last year.

The Sunderland-born stopper is not fully fit yet after leaving New England Revolution, where he made just three appearances before being ruled out for the season with a quadriceps injury.

But he has since played for Pool reserves against Barnsley and Stoke as he builds up his match sharpness, and club chiefs feel he will provide valuable back-up for the likes of Chris Westwood and Michael Nelson.

"He has played at the top level and has good experience," said manager Neale Cooper.

"He is a valuable player as cover in the short term and is an extra body in the squad."

Howey may be approaching the twilight stages of his career but, at the opposite end of the spectrum, Pool's emerging youth squad is blossoming.

For Paul Stephenson's team are celebrating after finishing third in the Super Group at the prestigious Dallas Cup.

Pool stormed into the semi-finals of the Texas competition after winning their group with victories over Japanese outfit Jubilo Iwata and So Cal United and a draw with Tigres.

Mexican side Santos Laguna extinguished their hopes of winning the section but the team bounced back to beat Tigres in the third-place play-off.

"Our side was a very young one," Stephenson said. "But they played extremely well and caused Tigres problems from the first whistle.

"We gave the chance to some of the Under 16s and lads who had not featured much in the tournament and they rose to the challenge superbly."

As speculation continues to mount about Cooper's future, midfielder Antony Sweeney provided the club with a massive boost by signing a new two-and-a-half year deal this week.

The Stockton-born 21-year-old has been instrumental in Pool's march to the play-off zone this season, scoring 12 goals.

And team-mate Mark Tinkler is quick to recognise the terrace favourite's influence.

"Sweens has done tremendously well all season," said Tinkler. "He's got all the energy in the world, can run all day and gets up and down box to box.

"He had scored 11 goals with the season just over the half-way stage."

Former Stockport striker Jon Daly is working hard in Pool's reserves as he bids to win a first-team place with the season drawing to a close.

Daly has had limited opportunities at The Vic since swapping a relegation battle for a play-off push, making just one start and coming off the bench four times.

Cooper, linked with the vacant manager's job at Dundee United, said: "I think it has been a bit of a culture shock for him here because we are one of the fittest teams in the league."